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Sherlock Holmes : the unauthorized biography
Rennison, Nick
Adult Nonfiction 823.95 D772
From Publishers' Weekly:
Rennison creates an in-depth biography of the world's most famous detective that will intrigue Sherlockians and non-Sherlockians alike. Effortlessly melding genuine Victorian history with episodes from Doyle's original stories, the author adopts the popular conceit that Holmes and Watson actually existed, and uses the few clues from the canon to reconstruct the sleuth's ancestry and upbringing. While some of his conclusions will engender controversy among buffs (such as his assessment that Holmes and his brother, Mycroft, set up Professor Moriarty for the fatal encounter at Reichenbach), Rennison makes a logical case for his assertions. He falls a little short in explaining Holmes's devotion of time and resources to espionage rather than deduction, but overall his attempt ranks with previous similar speculations by Michael Harrison and William S. Baring-Gould. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
From Library Journal:
The Victorian detective continues to fascinate, and this unauthorized "biography" (can one have a biography of someone who doesn't exist?) will be welcomed by true Sherlockians, detective fiction lovers, and those mainly interested in the historical context in which Holmes supposedly lived. Rennison (The London Blue Plaque Guide) reveals Holmes's lonely childhood, his "death" and missing years of 1891-94, his work for the British government, and the real story behind his cocaine addiction. Rennison also addresses Holmes's friendships with Sigmund Freud, Oscar Wilde (Holmes refused to work on Wilde's lawsuit against the Marquess of Queensberry), and others. A wonderfully clever read, written with wit, charm, and a sound grounding in historical research; recommended for all libraries. Susan L. Peters, Univ. of Texas (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Rennison, Nick
Adult Nonfiction 823.95 D772
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From Publishers' Weekly:
Rennison creates an in-depth biography of the world's most famous detective that will intrigue Sherlockians and non-Sherlockians alike. Effortlessly melding genuine Victorian history with episodes from Doyle's original stories, the author adopts the popular conceit that Holmes and Watson actually existed, and uses the few clues from the canon to reconstruct the sleuth's ancestry and upbringing. While some of his conclusions will engender controversy among buffs (such as his assessment that Holmes and his brother, Mycroft, set up Professor Moriarty for the fatal encounter at Reichenbach), Rennison makes a logical case for his assertions. He falls a little short in explaining Holmes's devotion of time and resources to espionage rather than deduction, but overall his attempt ranks with previous similar speculations by Michael Harrison and William S. Baring-Gould. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
From Library Journal:
The Victorian detective continues to fascinate, and this unauthorized "biography" (can one have a biography of someone who doesn't exist?) will be welcomed by true Sherlockians, detective fiction lovers, and those mainly interested in the historical context in which Holmes supposedly lived. Rennison (The London Blue Plaque Guide) reveals Holmes's lonely childhood, his "death" and missing years of 1891-94, his work for the British government, and the real story behind his cocaine addiction. Rennison also addresses Holmes's friendships with Sigmund Freud, Oscar Wilde (Holmes refused to work on Wilde's lawsuit against the Marquess of Queensberry), and others. A wonderfully clever read, written with wit, charm, and a sound grounding in historical research; recommended for all libraries. Susan L. Peters, Univ. of Texas (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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